A fresh graduate of the Federal Polytechnic in Nekede, Imo State, named only as Steven, was allegedly stabbed to death by suspected vigilantes.
According to reports on NaijaConfra, an X (previously Twitter) page dedicated to fighting cultism and street violence, the event occurred on Friday.
The platform reports that vigilantes confronted Steven and attempted to rob him.
He was, however, claimed to have been stabbed when he refused to let them take his possessions.
“On Friday night, a young man named Steven, who recently graduated from Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, was killed by criminals after they tried to rob him.
“The criminals, who some said were vigilant personnel (unconfirmed), attempted to obtain/rob Steven of his money. While he was struggling with them, they stabbed him.
According to the site, Steven escaped the scene and rushed into a nearby thicket in an attempt to save his life.
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“Sadly, his lifeless body was discovered the next morning in the bush, where he had bled to death from the stab wounds,” the report added.
Meanwhile, friends of the dead have responded to the event by seeking justice for the deceased.
In response, a friend of the dead, Smart Nation, wrote on Facebook, wondering why those tasked to protect life were the same people who killed Stephen.
He wrote, “Could this be a dream? How can we reconcile the fact that a security officer charged with the responsibility of safeguarding lives in a lodge was the same person who took the life of our brother? Farewell, #Stevo!”
Henry Okoye, the state Police Public Relations Officer, did not return phone calls seeking comment. As of the time this report was filed, a text message sent to him had not been responded to.
Several events involving members of local security forces have sparked widespread alarm about human rights violations in the South-East. Residents have accused some of carrying out illegal arrests, night raids, and killings in the name of keeping order.
